Aoibhin proves she can compete with the big guns at Spring series
IT’S been a quiet couple of weeks in terms of competition for most of the athletes from Blackrock AC as training continues in preparation for the outdoor track and field season, however there was the important matter of the All-Ireland Indoor Championships for the small number who progressed from the Leinster equivalent.
Their first of those to compete was Sean Reilly who was looking to impress after his classy victory in the Leinster edition of the U12 Boys High Jump competition.
It was always going to be a difficult ask against the best in the country and unfortunately for Sean nerves got the better of him as he struggled to create any sort of rhythm and went out of the competition in the early stages.
The same fate befell Sean’s sister Hannah in the Girls U16 Long Jump competition where she failed to get going in the opening rounds and didn’t progress to the top eight.
Nonetheless it was valuable experience for both athletes who now know what it takes to be competitive on the national stage.
Elsewhere, the Girls U17 relay team consisting of Sarah Morgan, Kirsten Doherty, Erinn McShane and Hannah Reilly were unlucky to be edged out for a bronze medal in their 4x200m relay final.
It was nip and tuck when Hannah took the batten on the final leg and, despite being clearly hampered by another athlete, she managed to close the gap to mere tenths of a second and was getting closer right up until the finish line which unfortunately arrived a bit too soon.
Sarah Clarke took part in the Girls U17 Shot Put competition a gave a good account of herself against stiff opposition to claim a place in the top ten.
The national Spring Throws Competition was held in Tullamore last weekend and saw star thrower Aoibhín McMahon make her debut on the senior stage. Despite being the youngest competitor in the competition at just 15 years of age, her distance of 43.91m in the javelin competition saw her claim second place and kick off her outdoor season in great style with much to look forward to in the months ahead.
The outdoor track and field season will resume with the Louth Pre-Championships in two weeks’ time seeing a return to competition for the club’s older athletes and a debut for the new crop of under eights who will add so much to the colour and excitement to what lies ahead.